Secular nation intended

In reference to George Clark’s letter (“Remember history,” Feb. 20): Our founding fathers did indeed intend to create a secular country. It was not only confirmed that we are not a Christian nation, with any kind of preferred theology by the Treaty of Tripoli, but also by the words of Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, Paine and Madison.

This was addressed and indeed thoroughly thought about as very important for a new nation to succeed. That it was the very first clause of the very first amendment was no accident, as this provision was so prominent in their minds because they had seen for so long, in Europe, experienced religion’s entanglement with government.

It is a fact that the Inquisition was ongoing at the very same time the founding fathers were having their convention, with the burning of witches and the hanging of Deists of which a good percentage of that group of enlightened men were. Talk about a real wake-up call.

Gary Garoutte

Bayview, Idaho